DeLand Town & De Leon Springs State Park

By Gary McKechnie

I love the town of DeLand home of the Museum of Florida art where the wonderful Duane Hanson exhibit is going on through April. And if you visit DeLand head just a few miles north of downtown and you’ll find De Leon Springs State Park.

In addition to a wonderful natural spring here the really amazing thing is that – inside the ruins of an old sugar mill – you can make your pancakes. Yes pancakes. The server brings you a pitcher of pancake batter and you cook your own breakfast at a griddle in the center of your table.

When you’re done eating you can take a dip 25 feet down to the mouth of De Leon springs, which releases about 16 million gallons a day.

Feeling adventurous? Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle down the Spring Garden Run beside the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge for an eyeful of birds and wildlife.